Starin Hall

Starin Hall Electricity Monitoring and Behavior Study The purpose of this pilot study is to explore a variety of casual factors that may contribute to electricity usage and potential reduction by residences of Starin Hall, the new residence hall at UW-Whitewater. Starin Hall, with individual real-time electricity meters in each suite, makes an ideal "living laboratory" in which to conduct such a study. Multiple factors such demographics and values/beliefs of residents will be used to assess their response to an experimental treatment - providing access to real-time information about their electricity usage (on the in suite meters and through a web interface). The specific hypothesis to be tested is whether access to real-time information about electricity usage leads to behavior changes and energy usage reduction based upon some underlying value system of the residents.

On November 24th of 2008, the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater broke ground on a new suite-style residence hall. This new facility offers new living options in addition to creating a more accessible environment. The building is first state-owned LEED certified residence hall in the state of Wisconsin.